The Lunar Exploration Scrapbook : A Pictorial History of Lunar Vehicles

Apogee Books Space Series #69

by Robert Godwin

In The Lunar Exploration Scrapbook , Godwin combines modern computer graphics with old blueprints to create a full color history of the golden era of lunar exploration. Included in this remarkable book are over 80 different Lunar landers, over 80 lunar rovers and mobile laboratories (MOLAB), more than 50 lunar flying vehicles as well as sections on the Saturn and Nova rockets, lunar space suits, Command & Service module variants, LM laboratories and orbiters, training vehicles, lunar walkers and lunar shelters. Altogether over 750 color pictures of designs for lunar exploration vehicles, all from NASA, Boeing, Lockheed, Grumman, USAF, US Army, GE, Chrysler, North American Rockwell, Bell Aerospace, Martin, Bendix and more. No science fiction! From single-seat landers to rocket backpacks and lunar bulldozers, this study takes readers into the imagination of the world’s top aerospace engineers by presenting NASA’s lunar spacecraft research. A unique blend of history and imagination, this resource covers not only the actual exploration of the moon conducted during the Apollo program of the 1960s and 1970s, but also includes a presentation of dozens of spacecraft that were never built. Vivid, colorful renderings of the conceptual crafts—many of which are not available anywhere else—are also included, providing a visual progression of NASA’s technological advancements.

Genres: Space, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2007

Reviews

[Melvin Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was told by a friend that I needed to get a copy of "The Lunar Exploration Scrapbook: A Pictorial History of Lunar Vehicles" because I enjoy reading about space and space exploration. I was told it was a "must-have" for those interested in the history of space exploration. I had my doubts at first since there are so many books that are listed as "must haves" or "must reads." However, I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book on a space talk radio show (The Space Show) and I can see that my friend was correct. It really is a must-see and must have for those interested in the history of space exploration.

To say this book is chock-a-block full of images would be an understatement. There are nearly 800 beautifully rendered 3D images in just over 200 pages. These images span from the 1930s to the late 1960s and include a write-up of information relating to the vehicle.

This book is a must have for space lovers of all ages.